Lewis eyes on better batting display in the last ODI

Bangladesh batting coach John Lewis showered praise on Tigers’ batsmen especially captain Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Mithun, stating that he has full faith in the Tigers’ batsmen who will show their better batting display in the three and last fixture of the three-match ODI series against host New Zealand in Wellington.

Even though New Zealand have already sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0 after losing the first two successive matches, visiting Bangladesh will now attempt their utmost best to avert the infamous whitewash in Wellington on Friday.

After the batting disaster in the first match, the Tiger batsmen showed great batting performance in the second match. 

“In Christchurch, there was significant improvement in the batting effort. It didn’t go well in Dunedin where we lost the toss and it was a decent time to bowl early. The surface in Christchurch was for a much more even contest,” said John Lewis.  

“The guys put into practice what they had been doing during the preparation period. It wasn’t good enough because we didn’t get the result we are after, but at least there was a step in the right direction,” Lewis told media a day before the match in the New Zealand capital.

Mohammad Mithun’s batting ability has impressed Lewis. And so, Tigers batting coach thinks that this skill is necessary to be successful in Wellington. 

Citing the names of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Mithun, the English-born coach said the way Tigers batsmen to make a comprehensive total on the board on the stroke of the second match handling fast bowlers with new balls that are really praiseworthy.

“I think the big aspect of batting overseas for Bangladeshi batsmen is dealing with a quality seam bowling with the new ball and a little bit more bounce,” Lewis said. 

“Tamim has more experience than most of the guys. He uses his role to create foundation for the second half of the innings,” he said of Tamim Iqbal, who will not be available in the three-match T20 series because of his injury. 

“Mithun played an exceptional innings in Christchurch. He was trying to get himself closer to the line of the ball. He was trying not to look at the offside so much by keeping leg-side as an option,” he said of Mohammad Mithun, who also clubbed a 50-plus score. 

“You can do it where the ball bounces above the stumps a bit more, than Dhaka or Chattogram,” he added.